Betsy’s Set: Ipswich

Turf Talk:

• Rail 7m
• Extremely hot and chance of a big storm every day.
• Where the track ends up, we won’t know until during the meeting.
• Hopefully the huge run of scratchings we have been seeing in Qld doesn’t continue here.

Stats that matter:

• On the verge of unbelievable the Munce stable now. Striking at 36% for their last 50 runners and over 25% for the whole season so far. I can’t remember a run like it up here.
• Martin Harley rides most of that stable’s horses so he is 13 winners from his last 50 rides and has a ROI of +33% in that period.

Race by race overview

Race 1:

Very ordinary race to start here.

(2) La Gracia is from the Archibald stable but is a 10 start maiden. Beaten 4L at the latest two runs and that’s about as good as any other form in the race. Is consistent and will look the winner at some stage.

Maybe (7) Making Eyes is next best but another with a sharp jump in trip. In a good stable, good jock but is a bit limited.

Can’t find anything nice to say about the rest.

Selections:

(2) La Gracia
(7) Making Eyes
(5) Miss Ellyse

Suggested Bet: No bet

Race 2:

(4) Nottington Prince is a long time maiden but in good form and really deserves to win this. Is tactically versatile and should land in front of midfield here. Handles any surface so if the rain comes, it would only help. Well placed and gets his chance.

(5) Vintage Vibes comes out of the same race. Was on speed and a little soft late last time out but still a good run for a race like this. Looks the hardest to beat.

(6) Bodhran has only had the two runs and made good ground last start with best L200m of the race. Can keep improving.

(9) Piertaga can land in the exotics, ran last at Doomben but in a much harder race.

Selections:

(4) Nottington Prince
(5) Vintage Vibes
(6) Bodhran
(9) Piertaga

Suggested Bet: Win bet (4) Nottington Prince

Race 3:

(8) Laan is no star but is with Gollan and is lightly raced. Got back in a race hard to make ground in but just kept hitting the line last start. Can improve again here and be in the finish.

(2) Kojak was one paced on debut but a good effort. Was in a big field and got back to last. Weaved way through and solid effort. Better for the day at the track but might like a bigger track than this.

(4) Tulong had been building this prep, was $3.10 last start and horrible. Track was too firm and had a minor injury. Got to be forgiving of that. Form before that was good enough.

Selections:

(4) Tulong
(8) Laan
(2) Kojak

Suggested Bet: No bet

Race 4:

(3) Rich Minx is a very fast horse and with apprentice she should be the leader. Can be soft late but a tight track like this should be extremely suitable. Leads them for a long way.

(1) Antonito has very good ability but can just throw in a bad run from time to time and that is always a concern for me. Good fresh record and maybe the market is best guide with him.

(5) Blue Spinel would win this on old form but is hard to have on form this prep. Watch for any moves in the market.

(8) Party Spirit likes the track and comes here set to peak 3^rd up.

Selections:

(3) Rich Minx
(1) Antonito
(8) Party Spirit
(5) Blue Spinel

Suggested Bet: No bet

Race 5:

Interesting affair this one.

(3) Man Of The Town won three in a row to kick the prep off and looked great. Nearly a month between runs and scratched a couple of times is a query. Just OK last start but maybe in a better race. Best form can win.

(8) Moonshine Run has won 4 of 11 and winners win. Lacks the class of a few but still lightly raced and might just keep getting better.

(2) Expectant is having start 74 and has apprentice on. Has run well in better races than this though and I would be throwing in my exotics.

(4) Zou Big Boy is Gollan and lightly raced. Did feel he was under the odds in this, but Gollan might get me again!

Selection:

(3) Man Of The Town
(8) Moonshine Run
(2) Expectant

(4) Zou Big Boy

Suggested bet: No bet

Race 6:

The formlines of (1) Esjay are standing up well. He has been beaten by Waku Waku and Seneschal his last two runs and they ran the quinella at the Saturday meeting just gone at the sunny coast. Good apprentice takes 3kg off and should get his chance.

Gollan has always liked (5) Ivy Dexstress and she is very good on her day. Had three runs back now, form from last start has been franked with Poster Girl winning again and just has to overcome the gate.

(3) Diamond Epic is handy without being classy. Another with a smart claim to get in light and has won or placed in all three runs at this track.

Selections:

(1) Esjay
(5) Ivy Dexstress
(3) Diamond Epic

Suggested Bet: Quinella 1-5

Race 7: 

The on top selection was scratched here. Apprentice on (1) Blitzum and taking over from Thompson. The horse has always shown ability and has been placed at both runs this prep. The two Class 1s he comes out of have been handy enough too. I’ve just always had him as a ‘gonna’ horse and he’s only won 1 of 12.

(5) Extreme Spirit only has the single win from 19 runs and is a frustrating horse. He’s clearly better than that record and blinkers go back on here. Hard to tell people to bet, but he can win without surprising.

Race didn’t set up for (12) Sequel last start and has been consistent this prep.

Lot of other chances here too in an open race.

Selections:

(1) Blitzum
(5) Extreme Spirit
(12) Sequel

(11) Ceekay’s Choice

Suggested Bet: No bet